Waswill: Hopedale made right call on pride flag

Tuesday

Apr 15, 2014 at 10:28 PMApr 15, 2014 at 10:28 PM

On April 1, 2014, the Hopedale School Committee voted against displaying the Gay and Straight Alliance’s (GSA) request to hang a gay pride flag along with the United States flag which hangs outside in front of the school. The School Committee correctly supported our superintendent, Mr. Breen, when he stated that the United States flag represents ALL students and that separate school organizations or clubs should be represented and displayed within the school rather than alongside the US flag outside the school. The exterior of the school building is not the place to display any messages of a cultural, social/political or religious nature. The Hopedale School Committee and the taxpayers of Hopedale have the responsibility to represent all students within the school not just one.The Hopedale Junior-Senior High School administration and the Hopedale School Committee both have been and continue to be supportive of the GSA Club at the Hopedale Jr.-Sr. High. The GSA has its banners, posters, and flags displayed inside the Jr.-Sr. High School. The club has its own webpage on the school website as well as its meeting dates are always posted. A Day of Silence April 11th has been observed at the Jr.-Sr. High School in the past and has been again this month providing support for the organization; school curriculum was even adjusted to accommodate this. The School Committee is not denying the GSA the right to promote its club message but be treated like each and every other organization. The group should be proud that they have met their goals and have successfully: 1.created a safe environment in school for students to support each other 2. educated the school community regarding sexual orientation issues, and 3.fought discrimination, harassment, and violence in schools with proper anti-bullying campaigns. They have done a wonderful job. They should be happy to attend a school where they receive so much attention and are well represented and be proud to be part of a school that promotes the principle of diversity and tolerance. Tolerance is by definition the ability or willingness to tolerate something, in particular the existence of opinions or behavior that one does not necessarily agree with…and it should be mutual.Attending Hopedale Jr.-Sr. High School is about its core values: RAIDERS which stands for Respect, Active citizenship, Integrity, Diversity, Excellence, Responsibility and Service…These core values encompass all prides and respect and fairness for all. I'm proud to be a parent of a student who attends Hopedale Jr.-Sr. High School - it is a small school but one with a big heart where students, teachers and administration value and respect one another.T. WASWILLHopedale

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